NPR News: 07-03-2025 7PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – July 3, 2025, 7 PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Hurst
Produced by: NPR

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President Trump's Tax Cut and Spending Bill Passes the House

[00:20] Jeanine Hurst reports that President Trump's substantial tax cut and spending bill narrowly passed the House of Representatives this afternoon. This legislation encompasses much of Trump's 2017 tax cuts, making them permanent, and introduces increased funding for immigration enforcement and defense. To finance these additions, the bill proposes cuts to Medicaid, clean energy initiatives, and other programs, potentially adding trillions to the federal deficit over the next decade.

[01:07] Scott Horsley from NPR elaborates on the bill's impact on different income groups:

"About 60% of the tax savings in this bill go to the top 20% of earners, that is people making more than about $217,000 a year."

Horsley further explains that while middle-income families will receive modest tax breaks, those at the lower end of the income spectrum might find themselves worse off. This is due to the reduction in safety net programs like Medicaid and food stamps, which could negate any tax savings they might receive.

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DOJ Hires Former FBI Agent Linked to January 6th Capitol Attack

[01:31] Jeanine Hurst introduces a significant development within the Department of Justice (DOJ). The department has recruited a former FBI agent, Jared Wise, who was previously charged with aiding and abetting during the January 6th attack on the Capitol.

[01:45] Tom Dreisbach provides more context:

"Jared Wise urged rioters to kill police during the January 6 attack, saying kill them as they were being assaulted."

Despite pleading not guilty to multiple charges, Wise's trial was halted when former President Trump issued mass pardons to many involved in the Capitol riot. Now employed by the DOJ, Wise is reportedly part of the "Weaponization Working Group." The DOJ has not disclosed his exact role, but this move has raised eyebrows considering Wise's past actions.

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Early Signs of a COVID-19 Summer Surge

[02:27] Jeanine Hurst turns to public health, discussing potential indicators of a COVID-19 resurgence this summer.

[02:34] Caitlin Rivers from Johns Hopkins comments:

"The number of people catching COVID in the US is still very low, but some epidemiologists say they're seeing what could be the first hints of this year's summer surge."

[02:48] Rob Stein adds:

"Covid is quiet across the country right now, but I am seeing some little signs that we may be in the earliest days of the summer wave."

Rivers notes slight increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in states like Florida and Hawaii, alongside a marginal rise in virus levels detected in wastewater. She advises the public to remain cautious by masking in crowded places and considering an additional booster shot to mitigate potential spread.

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Del Monte Foods Files for Bankruptcy

[03:15] Jeanine Hurst reports that Del Monte Foods, a staple in the canned goods market for nearly 140 years, has filed for bankruptcy protection. The company attributes its financial struggles to strategic missteps during the pandemic, a fluctuating global economy, escalating costs, and recent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

The bankruptcy filing indicates that Del Monte plans to sell nearly all of its assets to navigate its economic challenges. Notably, approximately 80% of the steel used in their canned products is sourced internationally, making the company particularly vulnerable to import tariffs and global supply chain disruptions.

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Astronomers Discover Interstellar Comet Entering the Solar System

[04:03] Nell Greenfield Boyce shares an exciting astronomical discovery:

"The comet was found by the NASA-funded Atlas Survey telescope, which is located in Chile."

This icy comet is only the third interstellar object ever identified, making it a rare opportunity for scientists to study material from another star system firsthand. Currently positioned about 420 million miles from Earth, astronomers are mobilizing to observe its size and physical characteristics using advanced telescopes. NASA has assured the public that the comet poses no threat to our planet. After passing close to the sun in September, the comet will become less visible but is expected to reappear in December, allowing for further study.

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Market Update

[04:51] Jeanine Hurst provides a brief financial update:

"Higher by the closing bell, the Dow up 344 points."

The stock market showed a positive trend today, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining significant ground by the end of the trading session.

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Stay informed with NPR News Now for the latest updates every five minutes.

Transcript

[Charles Schwab]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Charles Schwab with its original podcast on Investing. Each week, you'll get thoughtful, in depth analysis of both the stock and the bond markets. Listen today and [e-mail] oninvesting or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jeanine Hurst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Hurst. President Trump's massive tax cut and spending bill passed the House this afternoon by a close margin, this after House Republicans tamped down internal opposition from both moderates and fiscal conservatives. The package, basically Trump's entire domestic agenda, makes his 2017 tax cuts permanent and adds spending for immigration enforcement and defense that would be partially financed by cuts to Medicaid and clean energy, among other programs. It's also expected to add trillions of dollars to the federal deficit over the next decade. And NPR Scott Horsley says it won't feel like a windfall to most people. Taxes that would have gone up will instead stay stay the same. And for those at the top of the income ladder, they'll avoid what would have been a sizable tax hit.

[Scott Horsley]

According to Tax policy center, about 60% of the tax savings in this bill go to the top 20% of earners, that is people making more than about $217,000 a year. Middle income families will see a smaller tax break, and those at the bottom of the income ladder may actually wind up worse off because for them, the cuts to safety net programs like Medicaid and food stamps will on average outweigh any of their tax savings.

[Jeanine Hurst]

NPR Scott Horsley, the Justice Department has hired a former FBI agent who was charged with aiding and abetting the assault on police during the January 6th attack on the Capitol. NPR's Tom Dreisbach has more.

[Tom Dreisbach]

Jared Wise urged rioters to kill police during the January 6 attack, saying kill them as they were being assaulted. Wise pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, and his trial was unlike ongoing when President Trump took office and issued mass pardons to the January 6th Capitol attack defendants. Now Wise is working for the department that prosecuted him. The Justice Department did not comment on his precise role, but the New York Times reported he is working on what is called the Weaponization Working Group. During the Capitol riot, 140 police officers were injured, some severely. Trump argues the defendants were mistreated. Tom Dreisbach, NPR News.

[Jeanine Hurst]

The U.S. may be seeing the first hints that this Summer's surge of COVID 19 has started. NPR's Rob Stein has more.

[Caitlin Rivers]

The number of people catching COVID in the US Is still very low, but some epidemiologists say they're seeing what could be the first hints of this year's summer surge. Caitlin Rivers is at Johns Hopkins.

[Rob Stein]

Covid is quiet across the country right now, but I am seeing some little signs that we may be in the earliest days of the summer wave.

[Caitlin Rivers]

The number of people testing positive for Covid and showing up in emergency rooms because of COVID has ticked up in some places like Florida and Hawaii. The amount of virus in wastewater has also inched up. So Rivers says people should think about taking precautions like masking up in crowded airports and getting another booster.

[Jeanine Hurst]

NPR's Rob Stein reporting. You're listening to NPR News. The maker of popular canned foods has filed for bankruptcy. Del Monte Foods, known for a variety of canned fruits and vegetables, filed for bankruptcy protection this week after struggling with pandemic missteps, a changing global economy and rising costs. The nearly 140-year-old company says it's agreed to sell nearly all of its assets after facing economic problems for years. And President Trump's recent tariffs are adding to its woes. About 80% of steel used in canned food comes from abroad. Astronomers have spotted a comet whizzing into our solar system from interstellar space. As NPR's Nell Greenfield Boyce reports, it's only the third interstellar object ever discovered.

[Nell Greenfield Boyce]

The comet was found by the NASA funded Atlas Survey telescope, which is located in Chile. The icy space rock is moving fast and its trajectory indicates that it came from outside of our solar system. Since other star systems are breathtakingly far away, trillions of miles, this represents a rare chance to get a peek at a piece of one. The comet is now about 420 million miles away, and astronomers are racing to use telescopes to learn more about its size and physical properties. NASA says it poses no threat to Earth. After September, it will pass too close to the sun for ground based observations to occur, but in December, it will re emerge a allowing for more studies. Nell Greenfield Boyce, NPR News, Wall Street.

[Jeanine Hurst]

Higher by the closing bell, the Dow up 344 points. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News.

[Charles Schwab]

Support for the following message comes from Paintcare, making it easy to recycle leftover paint with convenient locations like your local paint store. Find a paint drop off site near [e-mail].